ES2997157A1 - Hang gliding flight simulator (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

The delta wing flight simulator comprises a structure (1) with a base (41) and two folding arches (42,43) by means of actuators articulated in the base (41), along coplanar and perpendicular axes between them, and joined by a sliding crosspiece (44), located at the intersection of both arches (42,43); a support (2) for a pilot attached to the crosspiece (44); a bar (3) or delta wing triangle attached to the crosspiece (44) remaining in front of the support (2); a control (4) that sensors the movement of the support (2); a control system (6) that, depending on the simulated flight parameters and the pilot's movements detected by the control (4), acts on the digital simulation and operates the actuators, and a display system for the pilot.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Hang gliding flight simulator

TECHNICAL SECTOR

This application relates to a delta wing flight simulator with or without an engine, as a means of learning or entertainment, pilotable by young people and adults.

STATE OF THE ART

The use of flight simulators for learning or entertainment is known in the art. These simulators consist of screens and controls that simulate an aircraft cockpit. Some of these simulators use virtual reality to immerse the pilot in the simulation. There are also known attempts to simulate gliding, such as that of hang gliding. However, these simulators do not adequately simulate the physical interaction in the form of the pilot's sensations and movements.

The applicant is not aware of any solution to these problems similar to the invention.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a delta wing flight simulator according to the claims and whose embodiments improve and solve the problems of the art.

The aim is to recreate the experience of flying a hang glider in virtual computer-generated scenarios, offering the pilot an experience that involves physical sensations and actions (visual, auditory, proprioceptive and movement) very similar to real hang gliding.

A hang glider is an aerodynamic glider with a rigid tube structure. Flight control is based on the pilot's use of the displacement caused by the weight of his body, as well as the aerothermal currents of the environment. The pilot can take off and land standing up using the energy of his legs. To be considered a hang glider, a device must take off and land in a completely safe manner and with a headwind speed of less than or equal to 1 meter per second.

The invention integrates several elements. On the one hand, a structure that incorporates mobile elements that allow the pilot to perform the movements of a flight situation. Among the mobile parts is the pilot's holding element that is suspended from the structure at the point that allows him to maintain the prone position of a delta wing. On the other hand, there is a control or a series of sensor devices that record the movements made by the pilot and transfer them to a control system for processing.

The structure consists of a base, preferably circular, on which two semicircular arches are fixed, which can perform folding movements on two horizontal support axes that are coplanar and perpendicular to each other. The movements are assisted by electromechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators. One arch is placed below the other and a crosspiece is placed at the point where the arches cross. The union of the crosspiece with each arch is sliding, so that when the arches move the crosspiece remains at the intersection.

The control system is responsible for calculating the appropriate response to a virtual scenario and to the actuators that control the mobile elements that allow the flight to be simulated. The devices for viewing the virtual scenario consist of virtual reality glasses or, failing that, digital screens located in front of and to the sides of the pilot. Other elements can be added to improve the flight experience, as indicated in the report.

Other variants are indicated in the rest of the report.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For a better understanding of the invention, the following figures are included where the structural elements that make up the invention are listed.

Figure 1: Diagram of an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 2: Diagram of the simulator structure-support assembly (side view). Figure 3: Diagram of the simulator structure-support assembly (top view).

MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Below, a brief description is given of one embodiment of the invention, as an illustrative and non-limiting example thereof.

The embodiment of the figures comprises a structure (1) formed by a fixed part or base (41), preferably circular, and a mobile part composed of two articulated arches (42, 43) attached to the base by means of fixings located on coplanar perpendicular axes on which the arches can be folded with the aid of actuators. The union of the arches (42, 43) to the base (41) is carried out by four articulated fixings that define the respective axes.

The arches (42,43) have a substantially semicircular shape. A smaller arch (43) fits under a larger arch (42) and at the intersection point of both there is a crosspiece (44) whose union with both arches (42,43) is sliding, so that when the arches move the crosspiece remains in the intersection. Fixed to the crosspiece (44) there is the support (2) for holding and suspending a pilot, together with a bar (3) or delta wing triangle that is located in front of the pilot and to which he grabs to perform the flight maneuvers. The crosspiece (44) is formed by two tubular sections, each one outside one of the two arches (42,43), and joined together. The support (2) is suspended from the crossbar (44) at the top of the structure (1) where the point of intersection of the arches (42,43) is located so that the pilot's suspension is that of a real delta wing. The support (2) is suspended several centimeters from the ground to simulate the sensation of flying at height. The support (2) consists of a harness or bag, which may be a real delta wing harness or, failing that, another similar secure fastening element, which conforms to the flight realism parameters of the invention. The support (2) and the bar (3) are fixed to the crossbar (44) with hooks that allow their position to be modified to adapt to the height of the pilot.

The support (2) and the bar (3) allow the pilot to move in the lateral and frontal directions, not in the vertical, keeping the pilot within the arches (42,43). The crosspiece (44) is sliding with respect to the two arches (42,43). This allows the movement of the crosspiece (44) along them. When one arch (42,43) moves, it pushes the crosspiece (44) along the other. The position of the crosspiece (44) is thus always defined by the intersection of the two arches (42,43), that is to say by the angle at which each arch (42,43) is turning. In this way, the movement of each arch (42,43) exerts a force on the crosspiece (44) that produces the relative movement of this one with respect to the other arch (42,43). The combination of the movement of the two arches (42,43) is what allows the pilot to move in turn. The movement is carried out without the need for the pilot to apply excessive force as it is assisted by the actuators.

In order to realistically simulate the inertial forces by means of small inclinations of the support (2), a series of elastic fasteners (52) are attached to the support (2) and to the fixed structure by means of joints (51) which can be hooks or posts (Figure 3 shows an example with four elastic fasteners and joints). When the support (2) moves due to the movement of the arches towards a certain position, the pilot will feel that one or more forces are pulling on the support as if it were the force of inertia.

The position of the pilot within the support (2) in the three-dimensional space within the arches is obtained by means of a sensor control (4) that is fixed to the lower part of the support (2) at the height of the pilot's chest. The control (4) can be a virtual reality control, a gyroscopic sensor or an accelerometer, and can use infrared light, radio waves, etc. The control (4) can also be complemented with sensors in fixed base stations located around the fixed structure (1), in a similar way to position sensor controls for virtual reality.

The control system (6) receives the movement signals from the control (4) and generates instructions for the actuators responsible for creating the movement of one or both arcs (42,43). This system can be made up of several computer units that run software that generates the instructions according to the pilot's response together with the simulation parameters such as altitude, wind speed, humidity, weight and height of the pilot, length of his arms, shape and size of the delta wing, etc. The use of the simulator may require a calibration and configuration phase of the flight parameters. The simulator can offer the pilot a training or learning phase of how to fly, with explanations of the operation of the simulator, etc.

The pilot views the flight using virtual reality glasses (7) or, failing that, using a system of digital screens in front of the pilot and/or at the sides of the pilot. The virtual reality glasses (7) can be any glasses capable of performing the functions required for the recreation of a digital scenario, preferably being wireless to avoid cables. In the event of the presence of cables, they must be connected to the virtual reality glasses (7) within the minor arc (43). Depending on the movements of the control (4) and the parameters of the simulated flight, the control system (6) coherently modifies the inclination of the arcs (42,43) as well as the images shown by the glasses (7) so that they correspond to the pilot's response in flight.

At one or more points of the support (2) - arches (42,43) - base (41) connection, shock absorbers, such as springs, can be arranged, which reduce the power that the actuators need to make to reduce vibrations or rebound movements (for example, braking) and thus be able to adjust to the objective of realism.

The simulator may incorporate other elements that facilitate the pilot's immersive sensation, such as a fan system with a fixed base that simulates the wind, a tracking of the position of the hands on the bar (3) that allows the control system (6) to represent the pilot's hands within the virtual environment, as well as other support systems for the actuators responsible for moving the mobile part of the structure. A locking system for one of the arches (42,43) may also be provided to restrict movements in flight scenarios where such movements are not necessary.

Claims (1)

1- Delta wing flight simulator, comprising a structure (1) with a base (41) and two folding arches (42,43), by means of actuators articulated at the base (41), according to coplanar and perpendicular axes between them, and joined by a sliding crosspiece (44), located at the intersection of both arches (42,43); a support (2) for a pilot attached to the crosspiece (44); a bar (3) or delta wing triangle attached to the crosspiece (44) remaining in front of the support (2); a control (4) that sensors the movement of the support (2); a control system (6) that, based on the simulated flight parameters and the movements of the pilot detected by the control (4), acts on the digital simulation and operates the actuators, and a display system for the pilot. 2- Hang glider flight simulator, according to claim 1, characterized in that the display system consists of virtual reality glasses (7). 3- Delta wing flight simulator, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a series of elastic fasteners attached to the support (2) and the base (41). 4- Hang gliding flight simulator, according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (2) is a harness or a bag. 5- Hang glider flight simulator, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises sensors for tracking the position of the hands on the bar (3), and the control system (6) is configured to represent the pilot's hands within the virtual environment. 6- Delta wing flight simulator, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises fixed base fans on the perimeter of the base (41).